A/N: Okay, so apparently you blood thirsty heathens are quite eager for Emmett to take some aggression out on Edward, and I promise, he will eventually, but not in this chapter. Everyone is also pretty eager to find out what Emmett is going to do to make up his idiocy to Bella. Well, that's not in this chapter either, in fact, I'm struggling a little bit with an idea for that (let me know if there's anything you'd like to see/think is appropriate). But what we do get is some insight into Bella's emotions after the cafeteria scene, and in fact, it backtracks slightly to the actual event. Please give it a read and leave me a review. I love reviews. Almost as much as I love Emmett. But not quite.

Also, to give credit where it's due: The title of this chapter, and the song contained therein are both from a song by Secondhand Serenade called (surprise surprise) Like a Knife; which I own no part of.

Brighter Than Sunshine

Chapter 3

Like a Knife

Come on, Bella, don't be a wuss. Just get up, walk over and hand Emmett his book. It's Emmett. And the rest of the Cullens are just normal people. Gorgeous, graceful, intelligent, normal people.

So it'd gone for the past ten minutes. I'd been building the nerve, encouraging myself to approach the terrifying paragons that were the Cullens. Not because I missed Emmett or anything, I assured myself, definitely not because I wanted to see him one more time before Biology. No way. It was just that in his hasty departure earlier, he'd left his Geography book in my possession, and you know, he might need it. I nodded firmly to myself, ignoring the curious glance Jessica shot my way.

To say I'd been surprised when Mike Newton had flagged me over to the old lunch table today would be a massive understatement. After the hostility I'd detected from my little group, stemming from my relationship with Emmett, I hadn't expected them to readily reaccept me with open arms. Apparently their curiosity for knowledge of the Cullens overcame any hard feelings they might have had. Which was fine by me, though I'd deftly and persistently avoided their questions about Emmett and his siblings, much to my friends' disappointment. Heck, I didn't even know that much about them, what'd they expect?

Hefting Emmett's textbook out of my bag, I nudged Angela lightly. She turned to me with a smile. She, at least, seemed genuinely glad to have me back in the fold.

"What's up, Bella?"

"I gotta go talk to Emmett real quick. I'll be right back, kay?"

She nodded, and I glanced at the Cullens' table, my gaze lingering over one strong, cute Cullen in particular. He looked amazing, as usual. From his dark, shimmering locks, to the stubborn square set of his jaw, down those amazingly broad shoulders, to his long-fingered hands…Angela's soft laughter cut through my inspection, and I threw a quizzical look in her direction.

"What's so funny?" I questioned skeptically.

"Oh, nothing." She nibbled at the edge of her sandwich, her eyes positively sparkling with her mirth. "It's just so obvious."

What was she talking about? "What's obvious?"

"You and Emmett. Maybe you guys are denying it to yourselves, but there is definitely something there. You look at him like he's the only guy in the room, and when he thinks his brothers and sisters aren't looking he's doing the very same thing." Something fluttered in my stomach at her words. Emmett looked at me? The same way I looked at him? I instantly denied the prospect. She couldn't be right. I'd have noticed that. Wouldn't I?

I playfully swatted her shoulder, laughing as I stole another covert glance at the object of our conversation. "Whatever. You're just saying that." I plucked a grape off her tray, popping it into my mouth.

She smirked, shrugging. "Yeah, you're probably right."

I rolled my eyes, hopping out of my seat, clutching Emmett's text book to my chest. "I'll be right back."

She nodded, a knowing smile on her lips. I was pretty sure I felt her eyes on my back as I started across the lunch room.

She definitely wasn't the only one. Quite a few eyes turned toward me as I slowly approached the unapproachable family. Was it really such an odd occurrence for an 'outsider' to be interacting with the Cullens? Judging by some of the disbelieving stares, and the whispers that were circulating, it was quite the spectacle. I blushed faintly under the scrutiny of my peers. Too late to turn back now.

My timing was perfect. Just as I reached their table, Emmett rose, his back to me. Several of his siblings had already noticed my advance. Rosalie was scowling, while Edward glanced at Emmett, before meeting my eyes and smiling. Far more cheerfully than I thought our encounter earlier warranted, but I smiled tentatively back at him. If he could make an effort then so could I. I mean, if Angela was right, and Emmett was developing the same feelings that I harbored for him, I'd probably be getting to know his family quite a bit better before too long here. At the thought, my smile grew genuine, and Rosalie looked positively furious. I'd gained Jasper's attention by this point as well, and he was watching me oddly, as if I were a puzzle he'd yet to figure out.

I swallowed softly. Probably best not to just stand here gawking. I reached up to tap Emmett on his shoulder, try to get his attention, but froze as he suddenly, violently shattered the happy little bubble I'd created with but a few cruel words.

"Fine, I'll stay away from her. She's just a plain, clumsy girl anyway, how hard can it be? I don't even really like her."

I stared at his broad back silently, hand still mid-air, my mouth agape. Was he talking about…I mean, he had to mean me, right? Who else could it be? Who else did he hang out with that fit that description? Who else did he hang out with at all?

My heart stopped briefly, and I shook my head slowly. No, he couldn't mean that. We were friends. He was my best friend. Had I been so foolish? Had his façade been that good? My mind swirled wildly with the questions, and I suddenly found myself unable to stand the silence anymore.

"Emmett?" My voice was quiet, but held such a plea. Please, Emmett, tell me that you weren't talking about me.

But I knew the truth of my assumption as soon as he turned to me, his beautiful golden eyes wide with disbelief. I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly, painfully resuming. With each heavy thud it spread the ache of betrayal through my limbs, until I was reeling with the agony of it.

One of his beautifully sculpted hands reached for me, and I instinctively jerked away. I wanted to shout at him not to touch me, while my heart ached with the idea of accepting the comfort he offered. My foot caught on the leg of the table next to me, and I lurched backward, managing to somehow save myself from a nasty tumble , though my hands were shaking so badly that it was nothing short of a miracle. Just to make my humiliation complete, I thought wryly, the tiniest smile crossing my lips, embarrassing tears springing forth.

"Bella, wait, I can explain," his low, deep voice pleaded for my understanding.

"No, that's okay." Breathless laughter passed my lips, and I shook my head. I already understood. God, I understood only too well. I didn't want his excuses, his attempts to spare my feelings. I just wanted to get out of here. Why had I even come over here…Oh…right. "I just wanted to give your Geography book back to you. Umm…I…Here." I loosened my death grip on the object, pushing it away from my chest and holding it out to him. I could feel too many eyes upon us, and not just the Cullens'. Though Jasper in particular seemed drawn to our interaction, his brows drawn together as though in anguish. Perhaps he was having sympathy pains.

"It's not what you think," Emmett whispered in a rush. My heart raced, pleading with me to listen to him, to listen to what he had to say. Maybe it wasn't what I thought. Or maybe it was exactly. God, couldn't he just take the book and get it over with? I needed to get away.

"It's fine, Emmett. Look at you and look at me. I don't know what I was thinking," I assured him with a cynical chuckle. I couldn't just stand here anymore. I released the book from my trembling hands, he'd either catch it or he wouldn't. He chose not to, and the book slammed loudly against the tiles. I could barely hear it for the sound of my blood pulsing heavily in my ears. He reached for me again, and I frowned, pulling away. Hadn't he done enough?

"Bella, wait," his eyes searched over my face, and I realized that if I didn't go now, I'd let him convince me to stay, to hear him out. I'd let him make excuses for his true but stinging words, I'd let him talk me into forgiving them. I'd be lured right back into whatever little game he was playing. No way.

"Gotta get to class," I gasped, fighting the urge to break down right then and there. "Nice to see you all," I waved to his family, barely able to get the words past the golf ball sized lump in my throat. And without further ado, I turned, making a bee-line for the doors. Angela reached for me as I passed her, but I couldn't stop, not right now. I left my bag at the table, bursting through the doors.

As they swung shut behind me, I did the only thing I could think of to escape the pain and humiliation of Emmett's words.

I ran.

Turning, I sped through the sparsely populated halls, ignoring the curious stares of my peers. I didn't care what they thought of me, what anyone though of the little tragedy I'd been an unwilling performer of in the cafeteria. Maybe I could summon some emotion for that later, but for now, it was all consumed with the overwhelming betrayal I'd experienced. How could he have done this to me? Yes, I was clumsy, and no, I wasn't the most beautiful girl in the school, but… Well friends just didn't say things like that about one another. I smiled grimly, perilously close to tears by this point. No, friends didn't say things like that about each other, but Emmett was not my friend, as he made so abundantly clear.

I skirted the main office. I really didn't want to face any questions right now, I just wanted to get home. I dashed past the small teacher's lounge, fervently praying that I didn't get caught. After what I'd been through today, I figured that God owed me that much, at least.

I made it to the exit without confrontation, and heaved a sigh of relief as I threw the doors wide, stumbling out into the predictably overcast Forks afternoon.

Today, I didn't mind it. In fact, I welcomed the roiling, angry clouds that shifted tumultuously in the dark sky, a bitter reflection of my own mood. A cold wind whipped my hair violently around me, and ice-like drizzle sliced down from the heavens. I tipped my face upward, welcoming the cool droplets against my heated cheeks. I took a deep breath, though the dewy air did little to ease the seething edge of my nerves.

I wanted my truck, and my bed, and some suitably depressing music.

The thoughts spurred me on and I started down the steps.

Unfortunately, the rain wasn't just ice-like. It was ice. My feet went out from under me with the first step, and I lurched forward, pitching head long down the concrete stairs as the bottom swiftly dropped out of my stomach. I didn't even have time to scream. I simply closed my eyes, anticipating the painful and jarring impact.

My fear, while not unfounded, never came to fruition. A strong hand closed over one of my flailing arms, and I was jerked back up onto the stoop roughly. Before I could even comprehend what was happening, a pair of iron bands closed around, and the familiar scent of Emmett swept through me. A low, ragged voice growled softly, "Jesus Christ, are you trying to kill yourself?!"

For a moment, just a moment, I allowed myself weakness. Allowed myself the luxury of the safety of his arms. I know, I know, I shouldn't have, but it was Emmett. I just…It was my Emmett. I pressed myself against him, nuzzling his shirt lightly with my nose. He smelled wonderful. Nothing new there. I laid my head against the muscles of his chest, and a steady thud reached my ears. It took me a moment, but I was soon frowning my puzzlement. The heart I heard…was my own. I pressed closer, listening carefully. Muscle mass couldn't conceal the beating of a heart, could it? I opened my lips to ask that very question, but his own quiet words cut me off.

"God, Bella, I'm so sorry."

If only he could've kept his mouth shut. I immediately stiffened in his embrace, all thoughts of beating hearts forgotten as memory flooded me in the wake of the adrenaline from my near miss. I pulled away slowly, turning to gaze out at the parking lot. I couldn't look into that adorable face. It would be the end of all of my good intentions.

"Emmett, just, let go. I need to get out of here."

He sighed his chagrin, making no move to lift a single finger from my person. I grit my teeth.

"That's some thanks for saving you. Again."

I jerked as though he'd slapped me in the face. I knew, instinctively, that the words were fueled by his frustration, but that didn't lessen the sting one whit. I shook my head in disbelief.

"Thank you," the words came out mechanically, cold as the rain from above. "Rest assured, I won't burden you with my terrible clumsiness again."

He winced, trying to draw me into another hug. I resisted, and though I knew he could've forced the issue, he didn't. He allowed me to stand stiffly beside him, staring longingly at my comfy old truck.

"Bella, I didn't mean that. Please, just let me talk to you."

Talk to me? Ha! I suddenly snapped my eyes toward him, fury rising, burning furiously from the ashes of his betrayal. "You want to talk to me, Emmett?" I all but hissed. "Why? So you can tell me that I'm ugly, and a klutz, and you don't care about me at all? I think we've already covered those bases quite well. Or did you have some other complaint about me that you've yet to tell the entire school? Really, I thought we'd done quite enough talking for today."

He was staring at me like he didn't know me, but I wasn't done yet. Shaking with undiluted rage, I jerked at my arm repeatedly, barely registering that his steel fingers were probably going to leave bruises. He at least seemed to realize and released his tenuous hold on me.

"So, if you're finished breaking the one thing that's kept me happy for the past month, I would really appreciate it if you would get out of my face."

A pang of regret swept through me at the anguished pain that crossed his handsome features. I swallowed back the words of apology that sprang forth. He didn't deserve them.

"Bella…" He whispered softly, and I hated myself for the sudden urge I had to comfort him, it only angered me further. I shook my head, looking at him like he was just the lowest thing I'd ever seen.

"Whatever Emmett, just go back to your perfect little family. Mundane old Isabella Swan won't muck things up in the glamorous world of the Cullens anymore."

He reached out, fingers curled lightly, as if he meant to stroke my cheek with his knuckles, but he seemed to understand that to do so would mean the very real threat of loss of limb to him, and he withdrew.

"Lil bit…"

It was a low blow, and before I could dam them, traitorous tears began to streak warmly down my cheeks, mingling with the rain. How dare he play that card? I snapped.

"Don't fucking call me that, Emmett! Don't! Don't pretend we're friends. Don't pretend like you care about me! Just leave me alone!"

I turned, wrapping my hand around the safety railing and hurling myself down the stairs as swiftly as I dared. It wasn't a safe pace, I knew that much, but what were a few broken limbs when faced with the heartache that was Emmett Cullen? I made it down in one piece, not checking to see if he was following. He wouldn't, if he knew what was good for him.

I skidded across the icy lot, an uncoordinated person's worst nightmare, finally reaching the relative safety of my truck. Flinging the door open, I threw myself inside, fishing my keys from pocket. There was a moment of profound relief when I realized I hadn't left them in my bag.

The engine roared to life, and I tore out of the parking lot.

I arrived home in record time, incredibly thankful for Charlie's crazy work schedule. I had a good several hours of sulking I could do before I had to put on the cheerful face for him.

Blinded by the tears that I could hold back no longer, I stumbled up the steps, slamming my bedroom door behind me, and collapsing on the bed.

It couldn't be true. The one thing that had made Forks bearable for me for the past month had been a lie. It had meant nothing to the only guy that had interested me at all. The guy that I thought I'd been falling in love with, I reluctantly admitted to myself. Feeling as though my heart were quite literally breaking, I reached for one of my pillows, holding it to my chest, as if it were some sort of protection.

Reaching over, I hit play on my CD player, letting the sweet, sullen strains of the disc flow through the room.

'I know I'm not the best for you, but promise that you'll stay.

Cause if I watch you go, you'll see me wasting, you'll see me wasting away.

Cause today, you walked out of my life.

Cause today your words felt like a knife.

I'm not living this life.

I cried softly into the pillow, hating that Emmett, that any person had the ability to make me feel this way. How had things turned to crap so quickly?

Goodbyes are meant for lonely people standing in the rain.

And no matter where I go it's always pouring all the same.

These streets are filled with memories

Both perfect and in pain.

And all I want to do is love you,

But I'm the only one to blame.

What had I really expected? That the perfect, beautiful Emmett Cullen would become my best friend and then just fall in love with me?

The answer was immediate and horrifying. Yes, that is exactly what I'd naively thought. I was such a stupid little girl.

I closed my eyes, floating on the emotions that wound tightly within me, anger, confusion and hurt mingling into a single entity, leaving no room for coherent thought.

I must have dozed off, for when I opened my eyes again the sky outside of my window was black. I stared quietly at the leafy branches that flapped against the glass, casting shadows on the wall above my bed. Sighing softly, I turned onto my side.

A quiet gasp escaped me and I blinked, fighting to see clearly through the blackness. My vision focused as I broke through the last blurry vestiges of sleep.

Well, I wasn't imagining things. A dark, broad shadow definitely loomed in the corner of my room, behind my rocking chair. My first instinct was to scream, but I quickly realized I wasn't frightened. Something about that figure was familiar. Sudden curiosity flared to life and I had the urge to find out what, or who, my mind nimbly supplied, it was. Swallowing quietly, I reached for my bedside lamp, never taking my eyes off the impression, lest it disappear. My fingers fumbled with the small switch, and I chanced a glance at the object, quickly snapping the bulb on, brilliant illumination flooding the room.

I eagerly turned back to the corner.

There was nothing there.

A/N: So, she's dramatic, but I think it's pretty Bella. She seems to experience crazy ups and downs. Hopefully this chapter meets standards! Feel free to leave me a review and let me know.